Introduction to Drilling Fluids Over the past decade or so  there has been need for improvements in drilling fluids. In modern day drilling the drilling fluids plays a critical part not only as the primary well control but as a source of transmitting information from the well bore to surface. It is often the fluid that will indicate any pending or changes developing down hole This section will attempt to introduce you to the primary uses of the drilling fluid and hopefully with the help of many of the Mud Engineer that visit the site give you a far better insight to the many function we have come to expect from the fluid and the companies that supply the many chemicals that go to make up the drilling fluids. It will also bring into to the picture mud cleaning equipment and the circulating system along with Hydraulics Just how many faction expected from the fluid can be seen from the list below. Removes cuttings from the bottom of the hole and carries them to the surface   Holds cuttings and weight material in suspension when circulation is interrupted   Releases sand and cuttings at the surface   Walls the hole with an impermeable cake   Minimizes adverse effects upon the formation   Cools and lubricates the bit and drill string   Supports part of the weight of the drill stem and casing   Controls subsurface pressure   Transmits hydraulic horsepower   Maximizes down hole information obtained   Transmit electronic data from down hole tools.   Help preserver and protect the drill string and casing From the list we now start to see how important the drilling and workover fluid is for safe and successful drilling and completion operation. Each page on the menu will be dedicated to one subject to enable information to be added. Other pages will be made up to incorporate new information as and when I is gathered.  During the course of the past years a lot of effort has been put into, finding, sourcing and begging companies into getting together enough information to make this section interesting. We in the industry have a phobia when it means parting with anything that may be of value or help to others, however we as drilling people are not interested in the secret formulas that go into designing a particular chemical only in the results. Drillers that understand the function of any fluid are a bonus to an operation. Drillers of to-day have a far better education and understanding of what is going on around them. Consultant need to understand and must continue to keep ahead if they are to perform to the best of their ability.